Climate-Adaptative Community-Based Water-Harvesting Project in Meghalaya

The State of Meghalaya faces significant water scarcity issues especially in the lean season; the situation has worsened in last 5 years due to the adverse impact of climate change. To address this challenge, the Government of Meghalaya in close collaboration with the Asian Development Bank is designing the Climate-Adaptative Community-based Water Harvesting Project. This 62.5 million USD project involves the construction of around 533 water harvesting structures /Small Multipurpose Reservoirs across the state. This will strengthen climate-resilient water harvesting systems by creating a total pondage area of 413 Ha and a water storage of 10 million cubic meters, through community demand driven participatory approach. The increased surface water runoff, enhanced ground water levels, and increased conservation of water will ensure availability of water for irrigated agriculture, pisciculture, eco- tourism, and livestock rearing, thus creating livelihood opportunities, and significantly contributing to the socio-economic empowerment of Meghalaya. Mass afforestation programs and grassland development interventions will be undertaken in the command & catchment areas of the project, as part of an integrated watershed management approach.